[14 DEC 98] COVENTRY
CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
Ofsted Praise For Whitley AbbeyThe recent Ofsted report for Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School
which is being released tp parents today, raises the progress the school has made since
the last report in 1996, despite having moved into ‘less suitable’ temporary
accommodation.
The report says ‘The school has overcome many of the weaknesses identified in the
1996 report and has improved’. A summary of comments is attached to this release.
Roger Gilbert, Chairman of Governors said:
"The governing body is extremely pleased with the progress made by the school
since its last inspection. This progress is even more remarkable when you consider the
upheaval the school is going through whilst the new school is being built. This
illustrates how dedicated the staff of Whitley Abbey are to giving the very best
opportunities to the pupils here."
Ray Watkin, headteacher added:
"Our top priority is to ensure we deliver a quality education for the young people
who attend Whitley Abbey whatever out circumstances. This report shows that Ofsted are
confident we can continue to build on the improvements that we have made since 1996."
Councillor Joe Clifford said:
"I am pleased with the improvements made by Whitley Abbey in such a short period
of time. The school is going through a challenging period but we are all looking forward
to the opening of the new school in the year 2000, and the opportunities that will
give."
NOTES
Whitley Abbey was inspected in October. The inspection team
from Essex was lead by Mr Paul Cosway, Registered Inspector. Mr Cosway briefed governors
on the outcomes of the inspection on 18th November and said that the Governors
and staff have much to be proud of.
"The strengths of the schools outweigh its weaknesses.
It provides a secure and caring community for its pupils. There is an increasing emphasis
on improving attainment in the school and providing a wide range of opportunities for
pupils to learn and succeed."
The inspectors judged that the teaching was satisfactory or
better in 90% of lessons and that it was good or better in 48% of lessons. This shows
significant progress since 1996 when a key point for action was to improve the quality of
teaching and learning.
"The quality of curriculum planning is a strength and
helps to ensure that lessons are well organised and that pupils learn progressively,
building on earlier work they have done."
As evidence of the progress the school has made, Ofsted
highlighted the 1998 examination results.
"There was a significant improvement in 1998. The
proportion of pupils who gained 5 or more A to C grades increased from 20% in 1997 to
33%."
In 1996 Ofsted highlighted the need for the school to
develop a consistent approach to managing pupil behaviour. Much work has been done in the
past two years involving pupils, parents, staff and governors. This latest inspection
concluded;
"The school is succeeding in developing positive
attitudes to work in the large majority of pupils and most respond well. The new behaviour
policy is being implemented conssistently throughout the school and is effective in
bringing about a satisfactory learning environment in classes."
The inspection team found Whitley Abbey pupils to be
"…courteous, responsible and trustworthy. They
show respect for others and are able to take repsonsibility. There is a commitment to high
attainment, and in many lessons this is realised."
During the summer holiday period the school has moved out
of a number of buildings into modified premises to enable the new school to be built. The
inspection team were impressed with the efforts made by all the staff to ensure the
temporary accommodation is fit for purpose and judged the accommodation to be
satisfactory.
"The school has done very well and worked hard to make
a sound environment for learning given the poor state of the buildings and the requirement
to move out for som einto less suitable accommodation in order that the new five form
entry school can be built."
Other comments included:
"The school has good links with the local community
which enhance the curriculum for all pupils"
"The provision for pupils with special needs has
improved,"
And
"The school gives satisfactory value for money."
Governors and staff are confident that the school will
effectively tackle the issues for action which the inspection team identified including
- To continue to seek ways of raising levels of attainment
- To use assessment information to ensure that targets are set
for individual pupils
- To continue to work with the LEA to resolve the matter of
the accumulated deficit on the school’s budget.
MORE
INFORMATION: Ray Watkins, headteacher: 01203 302580
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